The Lord’s voice is not a gentle whisper in Amos’ opening vision, but a roaring lion whose sound shakes the whole land from the pastures of the south to the mountains of the north. This roar is a warning, a sign of God’s holy presence and His readiness to act in judgment against injustice and unfaithfulness. Just as a lion’s roar sends chills down the spine and demands attention, so too does God’s voice call His people to wake up, take notice, and return to Him with reverence and awe. Even the strongest and most majestic places tremble at His voice, reminding us that nothing is beyond His reach or concern. [25:07]
Amos 1:1-2 (ESV)
The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. And he said: “The LORD roars from Zion and utters his voice from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the top of Carmel withers.”
Reflection:
When was the last time you truly paused to listen for God’s voice in your life, and what might He be warning or calling you to pay attention to right now?
True religion is not found in empty rituals or outward displays, but in a heart that responds to God’s grace and law with faithful obedience, honesty, and deep concern for others—especially the needy. God expects His people to live out their faith by loving their neighbors as themselves, showing integrity, and caring for those who are vulnerable. The more we have been given, the more God expects us to reflect His character in our actions and attitudes, relying on His grace for forgiveness and strength to do what He has prepared for us. [39:01]
James 1:27 (ESV)
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Reflection:
Who is someone in your community or circle who is in need, and how can you tangibly show them God’s love and compassion this week?
Amos’ world was marked by affluence, exploitation, and religious ritual that had lost its heart—much like our own. The people practiced religion diligently, but their worship was mixed with self-interest and ignored God’s commands for justice and mercy. The rich indulged themselves while the poor suffered, and leaders cared more for their own gain than for the well-being of others. God’s warning through Amos is that religious activity without justice, honesty, and compassion is empty and invites His judgment. [33:39]
Isaiah 1:13-17 (ESV)
Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations—I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.
Reflection:
Is there any area in your life where you have settled for outward religious routine instead of genuine justice and mercy? What is one step you can take to align your worship with God’s heart for justice?
In times of uncertainty and upheaval, when the world feels unstable and dangers seem to multiply, God remains sovereign over all nations and events. He alone decides which nations rise and fall, and He holds the future in His hands. While the world’s contentment and happiness are fleeting, those who trust in the Lord can find lasting hope and security, knowing that their ultimate safety is in His eternal arms. [30:08]
Psalm 46:1-3, 10-11 (ESV)
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. … “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Reflection:
What is one specific fear or anxiety you are carrying about the world or your future, and how can you entrust it to God’s sovereign care today?
Amos saw that despite God’s warnings and the hardships that had come upon the land, few were willing to ask if their troubles were the result of turning away from God. Yet God’s desire is not to abandon His people, but to call them back to Himself in repentance and faithful obedience. He longs for His people to look to Him for guidance, to be convicted by His truth, and to walk in faithfulness—trusting that He will preserve a people for Himself and fulfill His promises through Christ, the true Lion of Judah. [37:22]
2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Reflection:
Is there an area in your life or in our church where God is calling you to repentance or renewed faithfulness? What practical step can you take today to respond to His call?
Amos, a humble sheep breeder from Tekoa, was called by God to deliver a message to Israel during a time of great affluence and division. Living 2,700 years ago, Amos witnessed a society that, despite its wealth and prosperity, was deeply fractured—both politically and spiritually. The kingdom had split into Israel and Judah over issues of leadership and taxation, and both nations were experiencing economic success due to their strategic location for trade. Yet, beneath this surface prosperity, there was rampant exploitation, injustice, and a growing divide between the rich and the poor. The powerful indulged themselves while the vulnerable were neglected and abused, and the courts favored those who could afford influence.
Religious life in Israel had become a hollow ritual, blending pagan practices with the traditions handed down from Moses. Worship was no longer directed toward God but had become self-serving, and the priests were more interested in their own status and comfort than in true spiritual leadership. Despite outward displays of religiosity, the heart of the nation was far from God. Amos saw that the people had lost sight of true faithfulness—honesty, compassion, and concern for the needy.
God’s voice, described as a lion’s roar from Zion, signaled a warning to the nation. Just as a lion’s roar sends a chill down the spine, so too should the people have been shaken by the reality of God’s judgment. Amos recognized that the calamities befalling the land—plagues, earthquakes, famine—were not random, but signs that the people had turned away from God’s covenant. Yet, no one seemed to ask whether their troubles were the result of spiritual neglect.
The message is as relevant today as it was in Amos’ time. Our world, too, is marked by uncertainty, injustice, and fleeting happiness. Lasting contentment cannot be found in wealth or worldly success, but only in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the true Lion of Judah. True religion is not about ritual or self-interest, but about responding to God’s grace with faithful obedience, loving our neighbors, and caring for those in need. As those who have received much, we are called to much—honesty, reverence for God’s word, and unfailing concern for the vulnerable. God’s call through Amos is a call to examine our own hearts, repent, and seek to live lives marked by justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
Amos 1:1-2 (ESV) — > The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
> And he said:
> “The LORD roars from Zion
> and utters his voice from Jerusalem;
> the pastures of the shepherds mourn,
> and the top of Carmel withers.”
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